Welcome to the official web site for the Sterling Fire Department. The SFD proudly serves the Town of Sterling, Massachusetts by providing fire suppression, rescue, fire prevention and emergency medical services for our community. Sterling has four full-time members and a full-time administrative assistant that work during the day along with an on-call staff of thirty firefighters and EMT's. We operate two paramedic level ambulances as well as three Engine Companies, a Ladder Company, and a Heavy Rescue Unit out of our headquarters at 5 Main Street in Sterling center. In addition, the department operates two brush fire units and support equipment to handle various types of specialized emergency situations. The Fire Prevention Division is responsible for Code Enforcement, Permits, Inspections as well as providing Public Education services to the community. We hope you enjoy your visit to our website. Should you wish to contact us you can call the office between the hours of 7AM and 6PM at (978) 422-8107. Should you need non-emergency assistance after 6PM you can contact the dispatcher at (978) 422-7331.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

The Sterling Fire Department just recently published and distributed a flyer that provides great information on what you should do to ensure you are adequately prepared for different types of catestrophic events. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FLYER

BEAT THE BEEP: REPLACE AGING CO ALARMS – THEY DON'T LAST FOREVER

Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms have been required in nearly every residence since March of 2006. The life expectancy of carbon monoxide alarms is 5-7 years, depending on the alarm manufacturer. Many CO alarms installed after the state’s CO Law (“Nicole’s Law”) was passed are now reaching the end of their useful life and need to be replaced. No home appliance lasts forever.
The life of a CO alarm begins once it is first powered up. Most CO alarms have a date of manufacture stamped on them, which can be used as a guide if the activation date was not recorded.
The attached pamphlet has additional information for your reference. If you need further assistance, you can contact the Sterling Fire Department at (978) 422-8107.

STERLING LAUNCHES CODE RED NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

The Town of Sterling has a new emergency notification system (also known as reverse 911). This system allow Sterling residents to receive neighborhood specific emergency notifications issued by the town public safety agencies. These can be sent to you by phone, email and/or text message, all of which can be set up by you through an easy to use web page. To enroll in this free service offered by the town of Sterling go to the CodeRED Community Notification Enrollment web page by clicking the graphic on the left and submitting the requested information. This data is held securely and used only for the purposes of emergency notifications.

Before Rhoda Mae Kerr joined the Austin Fire Department in February 2009, becoming the cityâ€™s first female fire chief, about 50 women were already in the ranks.
Six years later, nearly 70 women wear a uniform, according to data from the department. The number of female lieutenants has tripled from three to nine, and other promotions have padded the number of female fire specialists, the rank above firefighter. - PUB DATE: 3/3/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Austin American-Statesman

The flag was flying at half-staff Monday afternoon and a black sash hung from the West End Ambulance Service building in Johnstown.
It was in remembrance of 38-year-old paramedic Janice Livingston, who was killed earlier in the day when she was struck by a coal truck while assisting at an accident scene in Upper Yoder Township. - PUB DATE: 3/3/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Salt Lake City firefighters battled a blaze at their own station.
Nine firefighters were at Station 2, near 300 North and 300 West, around 1:30 a.m. when the fire broke out in a utility closet on the second floor, where linens and towels are kept.
Four of the firefighters were on the fourth floor and used the fire pole to evacuate. - PUB DATE: 3/3/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KSL-TV NBC 5

A Cal Fire assistant chief is accused of hooking up with prostitutes on his state cellphone and then taking a state vehicle to meet them, according to new records released to The Sacramento Bee.
Another firefighter was fired after claims of making graphic, unwanted sexual advances toward a woman at a bar and lying about it, according to the documents. - PUB DATE: 3/3/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: sacramento bee

Only four firefighters on the China Village Fire Department are trained to enter a burning building. The department needs at least six to launch an interior attack to put out a fire.
When Fire Chief Tim Theriault looks at his roster of 22 volunteers, he sees only four under the age of 50; he had 15 or more volunteers under age 50 a decade ago. - PUB DATE: 3/3/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: central maine

Peach County firefighters have a reputation for building their own fire stations, likely saving the county thousands of dollars in construction costs. But what may not be as well known is that the firefighters also take used vehicles and transform them into fire trucks.
â€śWe get donations from the U. - PUB DATE: 3/3/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: macon telegraph

Gregory Dean, who led the Seattle Fire Department for a decade, will be named by Mayor Muriel E. Bowser on Monday morning as the Districtâ€™s new chief, two officials in the mayorâ€™s administration said.
Dean was known for improving his departmentâ€™s performance in cardiac care. Seattle has a department similar in structure to the Districtâ€™s, with the chief responsible for both firefighting and emergency medical services. - PUB DATE: 3/2/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: washington post